Pages

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

These are very easy ornaments to make andcan look so charming if you make several in coordinating fabrics.You can use homespun fabric(looks the same on both sides of the fabric)but you don't have to.

Let me show you how I make mine:

The simple supplies are styrofoam balls, florists wire,

wire cutters, hemp cord or twine, glue

(I happen to love the brand that's in the photo),

scissors and fabric.

Also aged tags and stamps if you'd like

to hang a message on each one.

First I cut in about an inch at the end of the fabric

and I try to space my cuts evenly apart.

Then I rip each strip off from the fabric.

Of course you will have strings but

just pull them off and throw away.

Next, I cut a piece of floral wire and bend it into a U shapefor the wire loop on the ornament.

Apply a little amount of glue to the endsand press into the styrofoam ballleaving about 1/4 - 1/2 of an inch still sticking out.

Then I put glue on the end of one of the fabric strips

(on the back side), press it down onto the ball

right near the hanger and start wrapping the fabric around the ball.

Don't worry if you run out of fabric and

the ball is not completely covered.

Be sure you glue the end of the first strip to the ball

then grab a new fabric strip, apply glue to the back of the end

and press down where you left off

and continue wrapping until the ball

is completely covered in fabric.

I like to age the smaller manilla tags with instant coffee,let dry and then stamp a message orChristmas image onto it.

Plus I've used some hemp cord to tiethrough the wire loop to serve as a hanger.I've tied the tag through the wire loop as well.I had one little piece of fabric left andtied it on right above wire loop as an additional decoration.

I hope I explained everything clearly.You may already know how to make these simple ornamentsbut I just thought I'd share how I make them.This would be a great project for children as well.You can color coordinate these to match your home, too!

Hi Dawn. I live in Jax, Fl but my sister lives near Atlanta in Hampton/Griffin, Ga. I just wanted to say how precious these are. I love the fabric you used. Thanks so much for taking the time to create a tutorial....TracyI would love you to drop in and visit my (fairly new) blog sometime.

I never throw away those masses of threads that I remove from torn strips. If you collect them in a little bag, over time you have the makings of "nesting materials" to add to a homemade bird's nest. Those threads always look so random and add texture and hints of color.

Little ol' me

About Me

My name is Dawn Edmonson. I'm a wife for 37 years to the same wonderful man, mother to five great boys ranging in age from 35 to 20 years old and grandmother to two precious little girls and two sweet little boys. We have a Devon Rex cat and a crazy little Jack Russell/
Chihuahua mix puppy who will steal your heart.
I love to create one-of-a-kind artwork to sell in my Etsy shop. I enjoy keeping up with my blog and am amazed at the inspiration I get from others blogs and sweet comments that are left for me. I am drawn to all things old, with plenty of character and enjoy using small, antique trinkets in my artwork. Being able to create is truly my bliss.